Report requires more training for CCSD staff

The Iowa School Performance Profile, also known as the state report card, was released on Oct. 30. Scored on achievement, growth and post-secondary readiness, most Creston Community School District assessments matched evenly with the state average. However, Creston Elementary and Creston High School were found to need improvement in their special education programs.

“You can see that growth is something that we really need to target,” ECC Principal and Director of Special Education Services Callie Anderson said. “We know that students that receive special education services are already two years behind, so expecting proficiency out of them in one year’s time is not a realistic goal, but measuring growth is. Measuring growth is obtainable for all students, that’s absolutely what we need to focus on.”

There are a number of steps the school district is taking in order to solve this.

“There will be mandatory trainings, mandatory data digs, mandatory action planning as a result of that designation for those two buildings. That all kicks off Dec. 5,” Anderson said.

Superintendent Deron Stender explained this is a common problem that Creston has been working on over the past few years.

“The special ed world is probably the most significant challenge for us in terms of academics just because of the different disabilities,” Stender said. “For us as a district, one of the things that we know has been an issue for us and has probably helped play into that is our special ed departments have probably the most transition in staff leaving and new staff, and also not being able to hire enough new staff to hire our special ed services.”

Aside from special education, the scores throughout the Creston schools were positive. Most of the district had an average performance score almost two points above the state average, except for high school, which was less than a point below the state average. Average scores for students with a low socio-economic status were higher than average.

In other school board news...

The school board approved the November 2023 list of contracts and resignations.

Resignations: Kayla McDonald, para; Teri Keeler, assistant softball coach.

Contracts: Colleen Beatty, para; Brandi Wichhart, para; Taron Needham, para; Hannah Fry, para; Cindy Smith, para; Katie Davidson, transportation; Diana Millslagle, cook; Tiffany Hoffman, cook; Ron Pendegraft, head HS bowling coach; Danielle Dickinson Thaden, assistant individual speech coach; Jacob Baudler, 7th grade baseball coach.

Retirements: Lori Mann, teacher (end of 23-24 school year).